British Rail Class 40

The British Rail Class 40 is a type of British railway diesel locomotive. Built by English Electric between 1958 and 1962, and eventually numbering 200, they were for a time the pride of the British Rail early diesel fleet. Despite their initial success, by the time the last examples were entering service they were already being replaced on some top-link duties by more powerful locomotives. As they were slowly relegated from express passenger uses, the type found work on secondary passenger and freight services where they worked for many years, the final locomotives being retired from regular service in 1985.

English Electric Type 4
British Rail Class 40
40145 at Carlisle on 27 August 2004, whilst working a charter train. This locomotive is the last remaining 'centre headcode' type Class 40.
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder English Electric at Vulcan Foundry and Robert Stephenson and Hawthorns
Build date 1958–1962
Total production 200
Configuration 1Co-Co1
UIC classification (1Co)'(Co1)'
Gauge Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Track gauge/data' not found.
Wheel diameter Driving: 3 ft 9 in (1.143 m)
Idling: 3 ft 0 in (0.914 m)
Minimum curve 4.5 chains (91 m)
Wheelbase 61 ft 3 in (18.67 m)
Length 69 ft 6 in (21.18 m)
Width 9 ft 0 in (2.74 m)
Height 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)
Locomotive weight Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1850: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).
Fuel capacity 710 imp gal (3,200 l; 850 US gal)
Prime mover English Electric 16SVT MkII
Transmission DC generator, DC traction motors
Multiple working Blue Star
Top speed 90 mph (140 km/h)
Power output Engine: Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1850: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).
At rail: Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1850: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).
Tractive effort Maximum: Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1850: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).
Train heating Steam generator
Locomotive brakeforce Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1850: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value).
Train brakes Vacuum
Career British Railways
Number D200–D399, later 40001–40199
Axle load class Route availability 6


British Rail Class 40 Media